Kiely Wilcox: Standing out from the crowd

For Swansea native Kiely Wilcox, standing out from the crowd in her accomplishments has been a way of life. But now, the 17-year-old has made it her duty to stand out even from her most accomplished of peers.

By Stephanie Leombruno

The Herald News, Fall River, MA

By Stephanie Leombruno

Posted Jun. 4, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jun 4, 2012 at 4:13 AM

By Stephanie Leombruno

Posted Jun. 4, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jun 4, 2012 at 4:13 AM

Fall River

» Social News

For Swansea native Kiely Wilcox, standing out from the crowd in her accomplishments has been a way of life. But now, the 17-year-old has made it her duty to stand out even from her most accomplished of peers.

In 2010 Wilcox received the National President’s Gold Medal Volunteer Service Award, after completing the Congressional Program’s required 400 hours of community service, 200 hours of personal development, 200 hours of physical fitness, and four consecutive days and nights of travel.

“By doing the Congressional Medal experience, I learned a lot about myself,” said Wilcox. “I realized the values of setting goals and the thrills I received from meeting those goals.”

But Wilcox did more than meet the goals. The program stipulates teens have until their 24th birthday to complete all of the requirements. Wilcox completed everything within one year.

“[Kiely] is simply an amazing person,” said her mother, Teresa Riley-Wilcox. “[She] is always seeking ways to improve herself and make a difference to those around her.”

Wilcox used her experience in the program to both learn about herself, and learn about her place in the world.

“Participating in the Congressional Medal showed me what I could accomplish when I put my mind to something, and I took the drive and motivation I got from this experience and applied it to other areas of my life,” said Wilcox.

“The fitness aspect of the medal, which I began by simply taking a daily walk, has evolved into my participation on my school’s track team.

Setting academic goals has encouraged me to put a lot of effort into my schoolwork - all of which I have seen pay off in my grades. Doing the Congressional Medal showed me the person I could be through the development of my own unique talents and I think that is what drives me to be the best. ”

In addition to the numerous extra-curricular activities Wilcox has undertaken, she currently carries an over 5.0 GPA while competing in St. Mary Academy-Bay View’s varsity winter and spring track teams, and weekly works as a certified babysitter for several families.

But Kiely’s most rewarding experience has been her time (over 520 hours) volunteering for the Roger Williams Park Zoo Camp as a counselor-in-training.

“I had been a Zoocamper when I was younger and I had always admired the counselors. When I got a chance to be one of those counselors, I jumped at it. I loved watching the kids eyes light up when they got to see a new animal up close, or watch them playing a fun animal game, all the while learning about conservation and the environment. I know that the kids I met will remember what they have learned, just as I remember all the things I learned when I was a camper.”

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This summer, Wilcox will spend her time working as a paid intern for the Office of Naval Research National Science and Engineering Apprentice Program in Newport, and would like to attend an Ivy League university after she graduates next year, all the while looking for what she can do to make the world a better place.

“I want to study engineering, because I think it is the field where I can make the biggest difference in the world,” she said.